Now Playing

Hampshire Comic Convicted Over Speeding

Hampshire comedian Jim Davidson has been convicted of failing to name the driver of his luxury hire car when it was caught by a speed camera.

Maidstone Magistrates' Court heard how the convertible Aston Martin DB9 Volante was recorded travelling at 39mph in a 30mph zone by a speed camera on September 6 last year in Kent.

Andrew Perry, prosecuting, told the court that Kent Police issued a notice to the vehicle lease company which nominated Davidson as the likely driver at the time of the offence.

But when a notice was sent to Davidson asking for him to identify the driver, he replied suggesting that the police did not care who was really driving and asked: "I'm still making inquiries as to who was actually driving, but is it ok if I nominate someone I don't like?"'

The 57-year-old, of Stockbridge, near Winchester, was found guilty of failing to provide information about the identity of the driver.

Davidson was awarded six penalty points on his driving licence, which along with six existing points, amounted to a ban.

But the magistrates agreed to suspend the penalty after Davidson announced that he would appeal against his conviction and sentence. He was also ordered to pay the maximum fine of £1,000 and ordered to pay costs of £750.

Davidson told the court that he had not provided the name of the driver because he was unsure whether it was him or his bodyguard driving at the time.

A spokeswoman from the local safety camera partnership said: "He said his plans often changed, but he may have been on his way back from a golf event involving fellow comedian Bobby Davro when the offence occurred.''

Davidson urged the court not to impose a driving ban, claiming that his charitable work would be affected.